Cumrun Vafa: String Theory | Lex Fridman Podcast

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Cumrun Vafa is a theoretical physicist at Harvard. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- Headspace: headspace.com/lex to get free 1 month trial
- The Jordan Harbinger Show: / thejordanharbingershow
- Squarespace: lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off
- Allform: allform.com/lex to get 20% off
CORRECTIONS:
- I'm currently hiring folks to help me with editing and image overlays so there may be some errors in overlays (as in this episode) as we build up a team. I ask for your patience.
- At 1 hour 27 minute mark, we overlay an image of Brian Greene. We meant to overlay an image of Michael Green, an early pioneer of string theory: bit.ly/michael-green-physicist
- The image overlay of the heliocentric model is incorrect.
EPISODE LINKS:
Cumrun's Twitter: / cumrunv
Cumrun's Website: www.cumrunvafa.org
Puzzles to Unravel the Universe (book): amzn.to/3BFk5ms
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: • Lex Fridman Podcast Clips
OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:51 - Difference between math and physics
4:34 - Evolution of quantum mechanics
7:52 - Can mathematics lead humanity off track
8:51 - Beauty in mathematics
14:10 - Philosophers using symmetry
20:04 - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality
23:16 - Key ideas in the history of physics
26:09 - Einstein's special relativity
29:46 - Physicists building intuition
37:44 - Best work by Einstein
39:28 - Quantum mechanics
49:30 - Quantum gravity
51:45 - String theory
1:07:54 - 10th Dimension
1:14:32 - Skepticism regarding string theory
1:25:37 - Key figures in string theory
1:29:56 - String Theory's Nobel Prize
1:33:01 - Edward Witten
1:41:39 - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands
1:50:29 - Theories of everything
2:04:55 - Advice for young people
2:07:57 - Death
SOCIAL:
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- LinkedIn: / lexfridman
- Facebook: / lexfridman
- Instagram: / lexfridman
- Medium: / lexfridman
- Reddit: / lexfridman
- Support on Patreon: / lexfridman

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Опубликовано:

17 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 851

@lexfridman 2 года назад

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - Headspace: headspace.com/lex to get free 1 month trial - The Jordan Harbinger Show: ru-vid.com - Squarespace: lexfridman.com/squarespace and use code LEX to get 10% off - Allform: allform.com/lex to get 20% off 1:51 - Difference between math and physics 4:34 - Evolution of quantum mechanics 7:52 - Can mathematics lead humanity off track 8:51 - Beauty in mathematics 14:10 - Philosophers using symmetry 20:04 - How can ancient geometry be used to understand reality 23:16 - Key ideas in the history of physics 26:09 - Einstein's special relativity 29:46 - Physicists building intuition 37:44 - Best work by Einstein 39:28 - Quantum mechanics 49:30 - Quantum gravity 51:45 - String theory 1:07:54 - 10th Dimension 1:14:32 - Skepticism regarding string theory 1:25:37 - Key figures in string theory 1:29:56 - String Theory's Nobel Prize 1:33:01 - Edward Witten 1:41:39 - String Theory Landscape & Swamplands 1:50:29 - Theories of everything 2:04:55 - Advice for young people 2:07:57 - Death

@TerminallySerious 2 года назад

Really grateful for the voice you bring to the global community right now Lex. Thank you! Ps. The @BitClout community are getting the decentralised future of social media ready for ya my man. 😉💯🔥

@funtimes8296 2 года назад

Where's meaning of life?

@Loinvoyant78 2 года назад

when subtitles are available ? tomorrow ? sooner ?

@MrGOTAMA420 2 года назад

thiswas one of your best

@VaidasBagdonas 2 года назад

When is the Andrew Huberman episode coming out?

@franzswitches 2 года назад

I major in theoretical physics and I gotta say, he is without a doubt one of the brightest and most talented physicists out there in recent years. I couldn't stop listening to his interesting stories and philosophy and watched this entire video to the very end. It was such a pleasure to hear directly from the guy, and I appreciate you Lex for doing this interview.

@depschemashty142 2 года назад

Cumrun is great at explaining complex theories in simple terms.

@alirezaromina5049 2 года назад

First Persian guest on the show. Cannot thank you enough for all of this Lex. You changed my life, hope I can pay you back in the future.

@ehsanmazandarani2511 2 года назад

😃

@sembutininverse 2 года назад

I'm grateful too.

@MMATopGs 2 года назад

Iranian or Persian? The name of country is Iran known internationally. Italy was Rome one day

@Hippiekinkster 2 года назад

@@MMATopGs - I lean towards Persia(n), myself. I had a couple Calculus & Chemistry classes with two guys (roommates) from Persia/Iran. Both Atheists, BTW.

@4bidden1 2 года назад

@@MMATopGs people like to identifying with winning ...Persian empire was way more successful than the current Iranian. Government...kinda like how everybody is a Tom Brady fan ....or laker fan...

@andromeda121 2 года назад

Cumrun Vafa is phenomenal. So articulate, so knowledgeable, so humble and just amazing physicist!

@MLG85 9 месяцев назад

well endowed too! with a name like that youd wanna be 😂

@Mwilke3789 2 года назад

Dr. Vafa's face of pure joy when he explains the outcome of something is wonderful.

@nurk_barry 2 года назад

You’re on fire Lex, Constantine last week and now Cumrun Vafa, two scientists whose work I greatly admire….awesome. The interview with Constantine was incredible, and it kept my mind occupied as I worked.

@dinobotpwnz 2 года назад

What a special interview! Unlike most other physicists you're likely to see on a podcast (and there are many good ones), this isn't a guy who's taking a break from research. Hard hitting papers by him come out all the time. And if you give a talk about something he's worked on before, it comes back to him in an instant and leads to a huge discussion.

@Erichop108 2 года назад

This guy is good. He's able to explain things in a way that even an idiot like me can understand

@snskt 2 года назад

I don't think you're an idiot :)

@kwsrge 2 года назад

true and real :)

@teresaflorida 2 года назад

I've tried to read/understand physics and frequently feel incapable of grasping concepts. I'm not college educated but became interested after reading about CERN.

@____uncompetative 2 года назад

I don't think you are an idiot either

@badsanta7356 2 года назад

@@snskt you don't know him

@justinschofield9083 2 года назад

Finally someone who explains it completely in timeline order and with examples that non professional can grasp he is smarter than genius great good man you good too Lex

@richardmartinbishop 2 года назад

His excitement is contagious and he really captured my attention. I think I finally understand the concept of string theory at least, great podcast.

@morningcoffeepottery5416 2 года назад

Lex Fridman clearly explains string theory in 20 seconds. Love this show.

@vikramchandrasekhar12 2 года назад

Among my favorite interviews so far. Cumrun Vafa's clarity of thought shows deep understanding of physics and his enthusiasm is contagious. I listened over and over to his examples borowing intuition in 2D and 3D to glean intuition of higher dimensional objects. I will come back to this interview and rewatch it some day.

@abdul-ganiyumannir7560 2 года назад

This man knows his stuff. My God!

@dinobotpwnz 2 года назад

In terms of renown within the field, this is as big as it gets.

@Ken-vl4wk 2 года назад

Love how Vafa is so passioned about physics.

@dyer308 2 года назад

Always a pleasure to listen to Cumrun Vafa!

@miinyoo 2 года назад

Love these deep dives Lex. This kind of abstract thinking fills me with joy for no tangible reason whatsoever like taking a ride on a bicycle with no destination.

@Mmmmkaaay 2 года назад

The 12 year old in me so bad wants to say something...

@_SimpleSam 2 года назад

Had to scroll far too long for this.

@jefftaf6361 2 года назад

We all in the same boat, but as fans of this podcast, we all know better hahaha

@redfox2035 2 года назад

We’ve all had one or two of those. Am I right, Lady Bohemia?

@joech1065 2 года назад

Please, tie me up, folks, it's so hard to resist the temptation. The puns just keep coming into my head. I'm gonna go and do some breathing exercises, or go run (on a clean road), before I fail Lex once again.

@theliftedbar4610 2 года назад

@@_SimpleSam Cumrun Vafa her lips....

@chelseaandhobbes 2 года назад

‘It takes an intelligent person to explain complicated things is a simple manner’ - The fact that I can understand a fair chunk of this is testsmount to the intelligence and intellect of these two incredible men!

@Henry-kv7zl Год назад

Grammar seems dece, you're fine. Typical mildly above average intelligence (maybe way more! Maybe way less! Nevermind!) Acutely aware of your own stupidity. Just like me!

@ikramnaurang 2 года назад

Very clear explanations! One of the best interviews in this series so far

@Jaba6798 2 года назад

Cumrum is awesome. You can tell he has actual expertise by the way he describes the mechanics of the equations. That type of expertise only comes through thousands & thousands of hours of pounding on your craft.

@springford9511 2 года назад

This is an AMAZING podcast. I can't stop listening to it. Will I wear out youtube if listen to it 100 times?

@bensaeltube 2 года назад

One of the best podcasts! Sir Cumrun Vafa is an awesome storyteller.

@NalitaQubit 19 дней назад

Listening to Dr. Vafa is a time well spent. Thank you, both.

@matinamin3008 2 года назад

OMG I’m so proud and excited to watch this cuz he is a fellow Iranian💪🏻🇮🇷

@simiansockpuppet9416 2 года назад

So refreshing to hear that Dr. Vafa values philosophy :-)

@imrematajz1624 2 года назад

and we are not scared...now I am not scared in 11 dimensions! I listened to Lex and Mr. Vafa all day. I can't get enough of it. Try it. You may stumble on more and more great stuff. Thanks a million!

@arunangshu218dutta 2 года назад

this podcast inspired me to study more physics.

@robertgiardino3314 2 года назад

Looks like I won’t be going to sleep yet

@dan85lewis 2 года назад

Lex, just wanted to say thankyou for consistently producing fantastic podcasts for the past few months. I absolutely love your humor, insight, thoughtfulness and empathy. Keep up the great work! 👌😁

@sombh1971 2 года назад

Masterful explanations of deep topics, kudos!

@dalriada 2 года назад

This is first time I've heard someone explain higher dimensional physics in a way that I think I can almost understand it. A superior teacher for sure.

@TrueNero 2 года назад

Wow! I learned so much about String Theory from this Podcast. Cumrun paints such a lovely and transparent picture of the 'Canvas' in which life emerges. Thank you so much for all of your Podcasts with all of the incredible humans on it. I enjoy experiencing your creations so much. I look forward to exploring new horizons through your videos. I love you.

@onlyguitar1001 2 года назад

I wish I could like twice, I really loved this podcast with Cumrun Vafa. Thank you Lex

@scottjones-singersongwrite6193 2 года назад

Wow. Cumrun Vafa is my new favourite theoretical physicist. Not easy to make this stuff intelligible. His philosophical prowess and enthusiasm shine through. Brilliant!

@Democritum 2 года назад

Lex. It is time to bring Sabine Hossenfelder to the show!

@georgiosapostolides1944 Год назад

Lex you should do another episode with Cumrun there is something really profound to the way he explains and paints the picture of things.. I enjoyed so much this episode thank you!

@MajidHormati 2 года назад

So glad you interviewed Cumrun!

@sembutininverse 2 года назад

please consider having Nima Arkani Hamed as one of your next guests.

@janshkreli2172 2 года назад

Lex, your podcast is a gift to the world. I don't think anyone has done more to help intellectual discourse than you, at least not in this global scale. Cheers :)

@ermanakar 2 года назад

I want to see Sabine Hossenfelder as a guest so much I can get excited about thinking about it.

@asphaltpilgrim 2 года назад

YEEEEESSSS!!

@Loinvoyant78 2 года назад

we neeeeeeed zabine !

@Arimaquinador 2 года назад

In her last video she still considers string theory science. I think it would be a good Interview, but harder for Lex to conduct.

@ermanakar 2 года назад

@@Arimaquinador would def be harder for Lex to conduct which makes it even more fun! Also, I am excited about all these on the edge ideas on the podcast but eventually agree with Sabine and her stance on keeping science and scientific discovery “effective” and within reason. And herself being “vigilant” about this is imho so useful. It’s so German too 😂. I love it

@nicolasallegra9893 2 года назад

He was talking about Michael Green when mentioning string theory pionners, not Brian Greene

@walterclements3669 2 года назад

Lexs outline in the descriptions goated

@saulm2007 2 года назад

Lex making the MOST out of his philosophy degree! I love it!

@guitarpick335 2 года назад

This is the best advise for younger people that I've heard 02:05:09. Absolutely correct and comes from experience.

@benmanahan9356 2 года назад

Two uploads in the same weekend?! Lex coming in clutch for the work week!

@daarom3472 2 года назад

Upgrades :D

@pmeekins003 2 года назад

Ty brother, we live in a beautiful time when a regular dude can hear this kind of conversation.

@billybobmonroe3166 2 года назад

Wow never thought you'd have Jizzsprint on the podcast, great episode.

@samarthsai9530 2 года назад

This was such a great conversation. Dr. Vafa has a great way of explaining things. Most people when talking about QM would tell how weird it is and how modern physics is so counter intuitive but not really giving a true picture , it feels as if they are trying to force fascination by telling just a few bits and by sounding mystical but truly great scientists like Vafa, Witten, Susskind, Maldacena etc. avoid doing that and tell what it really is, within the constraint of talking to laymen, but the truth to me is much more satisfying and in fact very entertaining as compared to the mystical things.Thank you so much for the wonderful conversation.

@SzTz100 2 года назад

Excellent interview, good thing I didn't forget to watch it.

@stevebaldock 2 года назад

Fantastic discussion overall, but especially at the end regarding death. Beautifully said.

@sydneymorey6059 8 месяцев назад

Cumrun Vafa. So humble for a genius. Thank you Lex. You’re pretty special yourself.

@abhisheksingh1143 Год назад

this is such an insightful episode....really intrigued by the discussion.....

@NinjaofApathy 2 года назад

I'd love to hear more conversations with engineers from various different disciplines.

@shivendhania7724 2 года назад

you have no idea how much you mean to me Lex, you're the best

@hartmut-a9dt Год назад

5:15 since years I want understand principle of least action, and now this man explains it so intuitively that I got it in one shot.

@darakdjian 2 года назад

“Imagine 9 dimensions” + “No problem” - Dr. Vafa

@KiiishawnTv 2 года назад

Lex Friedman & Jordan Peterson will be a spectacular treat

@joech1065 2 года назад

No Peterson please. I don't find him intellectually compelling at all. The guy is an infinite generator of unfalsifiable word salad, and, at this point, I'm not even sure that Peterson himself knows what are his tangible claims.

@digita1dope 2 года назад

This is amazing! It seems to be simple, but the certain things that I had not thought about before became clear. Theories are tools that people come up with to solve problems. Some less perfect than others, but you may never know which one is closer to the truth and which one is easier to improve, so it is better to improve yourself while working with all those of your interest, study new ones and try to apply them. Great talk. Lots of spiritual food for the mind.

@ploploolpo1929 2 года назад

Compared to Eric Weinstein, he's a lot more clear and understandable. Also he's quite balanced. What I've heard abt academia from Weinstein, I'd say Cumrun is total opposite of that.

@barren8589 2 года назад

Actually cumrun is one of the most accomplished theoretical physicist of his generation may be only behind Edward witten & Maldacena.

@PandaMoniumHUN 2 года назад

Eric is terrible at explaining concepts, he is literally incapable of staying on topic.

@daarom3472 2 года назад

Lets be honest though

@ermanakar 2 года назад

Eric Weinstein is a bit too full of himself tbh.

@user-jh3rx3ej7h 2 года назад

Eric Weinstein is nowhere close to the same league as Vafa. Vafa is one of the most respected physicists in the world. Weinstein is somebody who makes appearances on Joe Rogan and here ranting about cancel culture and academia. It is an insult to mention them in the same sentence. Real physicists don't take Weinstein's geometric unity seriously, just like Garrett Lisi's E8 theory. They are only given attention because people like Lex and Joe Rogan give them a platform as if the theory is equally valid, since they have just as little understanding as a non-physicist that it's not taken seriously by the particle physics community. String theory has its own issues with experimental evidence, but at least there is orders of magnitude more mathematical consistency than crackpot theories like geometric unity.

@saeedansari Год назад

I love the way he always smiles as he explains.

@cyberbiosecurity 26 дней назад

thank you, this is like having the best physics lecture in my life

@CyberAnalyzer 2 года назад

Now this man is truly passionate!!🤩 What a man!

@stevedabish9107 2 года назад

I am hooked on this wonderful podcast

@musicalfringe 2 года назад

That intro about string theory was beautiful. Unflinchingly critical yet optimistic.

@behrad9712 2 года назад

Wow, when someone talks about philosophy, he or she is on another level...thank you so much from Iran!👌

@barren8589 2 года назад

I guess because of his background like Salam they are often interested in philosophy & tolerant towards religion; this was also my experience with a graduate student classmate from Iran.

@behrad9712 2 года назад

@@barren8589 definitely! we Iranians (of course not people you see in news from Iran😊) love equilibrium and interaction between ideas in order to achieve more complete forms! We're not in one place in terms of concepts, even from geographical point of view we're neither east nor west! (Mesopotamia)in "kurosh (cyrus) and "darush"age we were almost anything like greek to indian to african thought plus mithraism and ...even in practice and political aspect those races lived together in peace many years under empire of cyrus!

@Vlow52 2 года назад

Thank you, Lex!

@DaGrybo 2 года назад

As a physician, I dedicated my life to studying the human body and mind, rather than the outside world, and it's always fascinating to listen to the ones who did the opposite. Especially on this level. I want to point out that it's the consciousness in the first place that gives rise to these theories. And to unify the "outside" and the "within" is quite an easy leap. Conscious experience in the brain is based on exactly the same rules that govern the world.

@painguin111 2 года назад

Wow this was amazing, love this guy

@robertpirsig5011 2 года назад

This is very insightful interview.

@abhiseksahu822 Год назад

Cumrun makes all these complicated ideas so simple. It is an absolute delight to watch him. Great questioning from Lex as well! Just a side comment: at 1:27:06 I think the 'Green' being referred to is Michael Green, a British String theorist who pioneered the subject in the 70s alongside Schwarz. He is also the author of the standard textbook in String Theory, co-authored with Schwarz and Witten. Brian Greene came later.

@HassanWorld 2 года назад

Going to enjoy this episode, thanks Lex.

@videos2pick 2 года назад

Thank you very much,... it was a very nice and informative talk!

@KJBtheMosFett 2 года назад

This is the best podcast episode I've ever seen.

@devonk298 2 года назад

Lovin' the new suit Lex!

@MuitoDaora 2 года назад

7:01 That's the face I did back in school when a professor captured my full attention.😲🙃

@paulkiat 2 года назад

When lex hears the word 'Topology' lol!

@101maximus101 2 года назад

It's like someone offered him a fully charged battery

@paulkiat 2 года назад

@@101maximus101 He got a case of Nitro Coffee from Joe down the street lol!

@MMA4ALL7 Год назад

This is the guest/type of people lex needs to get more of.

@DaGrybo 2 года назад

This guy is amazing. Hearing very profound science that is so true to the human experience is so rare.

@granand 2 года назад

If Cumrun was my teacher, I think I would relish, understand and strive to prove equations and love math.

@thebenc1537 2 года назад

i am going to name my first daughter Cumrun! Hopefully she becomes a stripper.

@granand 2 года назад

@@thebenc1537 Well that's what you hope, but when she learns why you named her Cumrun, she will run away from you to do something good for self & others hopefully.

@plato2030 2 года назад

This shows how lucky some people are to study with a great master

@derekbentley334 4 месяца назад

The leap was the crash course in depth and amount shown taught and comprehending

@Hakor0 Год назад

Yes! Thanks, Lex & Co. I actually understood most of this. Imagine if Cumrun was your Science teacher in highschool. The infinite reflections in two mirrors and fractals ,still trip me out, i was wondering how they would look in extra dimensions if possible.

@iamwhoyousayiam6773 2 года назад

Your channel is amazing

@nicknygaard4122 2 месяца назад

Wonderful interview

@calivein 2 года назад

Thank you for making videos!

@rjhayward1 2 года назад

Great interview, this stuff is very hard to understand, Dr. Vafa does a wonderful job of explaining it.

@Shaiski95 2 года назад

This man is truely a genius of our time and I hope one day we speak of him as highly as Einstein

@PearlmanYeC 2 года назад

looks interesting, saved to watch latter list.

@Blank-zp8th 2 года назад

looking forward to this lex

@alo_11 2 года назад

Very much enjoyed!

@des7638 2 года назад

Wow. Amazing guest and ideas

@0willow0 2 года назад

Sense of beauty/taste/expression almost seems to be our pattern-seeking part of our brains working out new material and ideas in a constant effort to grow, train and hone itself for beneficial outcomes in more practical fields, like physics, engineering, architecture, etc. Over a very long time our sense of beauty has been trained by our ancestors to learn an appreciation for symmetries because understanding and appreciating the relationship between asymmetries and symmetries is very conducive to broad success in life.

@Bolden47 2 года назад

Ayyy saving to watch later! Found you because of physics so this should be interesting.

@vivekrbs 3 месяца назад

Amazing interview. Just wow

@amedeeabreo7334 2 года назад

1:23:00 train going off the tracks.......

@edcunion 2 года назад

CVs enthusiasm about Planck scale strings is pure theory as Heisenberg's uncertainty kicks in at particle scales, that are astronomically larger than the Planck scales, except for a few measures, two being the Planck frequency and acceleration that are universally large? What about entropy and matter's universal homogeneity though, given that recent mapping of the cosmic web shows that matter is channeled into rotating and revolving, literally moving and twisting current filaments punctuated by what look like voids? Recent studies have the matter distribution in the universe looking more like a neural network or mammalian brain morphology rather than a homogeneous Brownian motion pool of entropy? Supermassive black holes and galaxies also get carried along like specks of dust in these massive cosmic filaments? Our improving technology is opening our eyes as we stare at the night skies, and depending on EM wavelengths and LIGO, daytime skies too?

@ILYICH_NOW 2 года назад

1:11:28 Such a wonderful storyteller and an endless source of knowledge! In the case of the multi-dimensional outline, would you consider that you "as a human"/"your being" is a meeting point of two different higher-demensional forms from two different planes of existence?